In a recent Premier League match, Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory over Chelsea. The game was notable for the challenging debut of City’s new signing, Abdukodir Khusanov. The 20-year-old Uzbek defender, who recently transferred from RC Lens for £34 million, made a significant error early in the match. Within the first three minutes, Khusanov’s mistake allowed Chelsea’s Noni Madueke to score, giving Chelsea an early lead.
Following this early setback, Khusanov received a yellow card for a subsequent foul, compounding his difficult start. Commenting on the situation, Gary Neville, who was providing analysis for Sky Sports, expressed sympathy for the young defender’s tough debut. Neville remarked that he “felt like crying” for Khusanov, acknowledging the challenging circumstances the player faced.
In response to Khusanov’s struggles, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made a tactical change in the 54th minute, substituting Khusanov with John Stones. Despite the early hiccup, City managed to turn the game around with goals from Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland, securing the win.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Gary Neville has been critical of Chelsea players following matches against Manchester City. In a previous encounter, Neville criticized Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for their performances, suggesting that they “aren’t kidding anybody” and looked “worried to death” during the game.
In summary, while Khusanov’s debut was challenging, leading to early criticism and a tactical substitution, Manchester City showcased resilience by overcoming the initial setback and securing a 3-1 victory over Che
lsea.